Repeating fuse construction



Aug. 20, 1940. J. B. HENDR'lcKs REPEATING FUSE CONSTRUCTI ON 2 sheets-sheet 1 Filed April 9. 1934 MPV ATTORNEY Aug. 20, 1940. J. B. HENDRlcKs REPEATING FUSE yCO1\IS'1RUCIION Filed April 9, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR cb/f VMMF BY WLM le W ATTORNEY Patented Aug.` 20, 1940 UNITED STA-TES PATENT orifice REPEATING FUSE CONSTRUCTION Application April 9, 1934, Serial No. 719,650

38 Claims. (Cl. ZOO-126) This invention relates to a repeating fuse construction and is particularlyl directed to a construction in whicna device is provided which recloses the circuit after the blowing of a fuse such as a tree falling across a pair of lines, a

pair of lines being whipped together by a wind, a ashover, a temporary ground, or the branch of a tree which in a violent4 wind may be blown against the line. Under these and similar conditions it frequently happens that the trouble is only temporary and that it either ceases of itself or the fault is burned out almost immediately.

This invention is designed to provide a device which will take care of conditions such as outlined above, which will'electrically disconnect the blown fuse from the line, and after a pre-- determined brief interval immediately connect a. reserve or fresh fuse in the line, such device providing for the successive operation of as many fuses as the device is equipped to handle, and to provide a device of this type in which the time delay interval is automatically secured from the inherent characteristics of the device itself without requiring any auxiliary timing mechanism.

This invention provides for the renewal of `a blown fuse without interrupting the service, and objects of this invention are to provide a construction which permits the ready removal and refusing of the blown fuse, which permits the ready restoring of such refused fuse, and the automatic disconnecting of the` next adjacent auxiliary or reserve fuse without at any time interrupting the circuit during this restoring operation.

A primary object of this invention is to provide v a housed type of drop-out repeating fuse construction in which as many of the housed types of fuses maybe related as required for the given number of repetitions elected, and in which although each fuse is housed, nevertheless it drops out of position after blowing andopens the door of its particular housing, thus giving a visual indication of the particular fuse that has blown.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a construction in which no fuse has to be first mechanically moved linto place before it is ready to operate upon the blowing of a preceding or first fuse, in which the auxiliary or reserve fuses although mechanically in place are nevertheless automatically electrically connected in service in succession asl the preceding fuse or r, fuses blow.

Further objects are to provide a construction in which the repeating, housed, multiple fuse is provided, and in which any door may be separately opened without moving the fuse out of place 10 if desired, and in addition in which any fuse may be automatically tripped so that it will drop out of position as desired. l

Further objects are to provide a construction in which the blown fuse or fuses may be readily l5 removed, refused, and replaced and when rocked into position, will automatically disconnect the succeeding fuse.

An embodiment of the invention is lshown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 20

Figure l is a vertical sectional view through one of the drop-out fuses of the repeating fuse construction, such view corresponding to a section `on the line l-I of Figure 1.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of 25 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a View showing a plurality of fuses arranged in the cooperating relation for repeating action.

Figure 4 is a View, partly in section, looking 30 from the front of one of the fuses.

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6 6 of Figure 4. 35

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figure 3, it will be seen that a series of these individual housed drop-out fuses are provided and are indicated generally at A, B, and C. Each of these drop-out fuses comprises a porcelain casing or 40 housing I provided with a hinged door .2. The housing is provided with any suitable means of attaching it to a support, such as the bolt construction indicated at 3. Each housing is providid with an upper terminal member 4 and 45 a lower terminal member 5. The upper terminal member 4 is provided with a pair of spaced spring arms 6 between which the upper contact 1 of the fuse is adapted to be forced, as shown in Figures land 4. The upper portion of the 5 fuse is detachably attached to the door 2.

One form of the attachment is shown in the drawings, and it will be noted that the upper terminal is provided with an upwardly projecting forwardly located h ook 8 which is engaged 55 ber I0.. It is obvious that if desired, the door may be detachfd from the fuse by rotating the shown in Figure 1.

lip 9 out of engagement with the hook and thereafter the door may be swung downwardly about its pivot II.

Each of the upper terminal members of the i successive fuses arepermanently electrically connected to the line I 2.

The lower terminal member 5 is provided with a brush or yielding contact I3, see Figure 1, which bears against the lower contact Ill carried by the expulsion fuse tube I5. The lower terminal member is also provided with forwardly projecting armson opposite sides of the Ylower Contact I4. As shown in Figure 3, the lower of these pairs of arms is provided with a hooklike portion IE whichreceives the pivot pin I1 carried by the lower contact member I of the expulsion fuse. Each of the upper arms I8 is provided with an outwardly turned foot I9, as shown most clearly in Figure 4.

It is apparent that when the fuse rocks about its pivot point I1 that the door rocks about its pivot point II and the tongue 9 is thus lifted4 from the hook 8, the door dropping downwardly to the dotted line position shown in Figure 1 and the fuse dropping outwardly to its dotted line position shown in such figure.

The lower contact I8 of the fuse carries a hammer or tripping member 20 which is urged by means of a spring 2| in a clockwise direction. as viewed in Figure 1. This hammer receives the lower end of the fuse link 22, so that when the fuse link is ruptured, the hammer 20 suddenly swings towards the dotted line position The purpose of this hammer or tripping member will be apparent as the description proceeds.

The fuse tube I5 is provided with an intermediate member or collar 23, see Figure 1, which has spaced arms 24 between which a pin 25 is carried. Thispin is normally engaged by the hook of a latch 26,as shown in Figure 1. This latch is normally in the full line position shown vin Figure 1 and is retained in this position underA normal conditions 'by the weight of the downwardly extending rod 21 pivotally attached to the arm 28 of the latch, the latch being in the form `of a latch lever and being pivoted as indicated at 29 between suitable brackets 3D carried by the rear face of the casing. The rod or plunger 21 is provided with a stop collar 3l which limits its downward motion. It is to be observed from Figure 1 that the forward face of the latch is and strikes the'anvil portion 33, thus opening the latch and allowing the fuse and door to drop outwardly.

Provision is made for the manual release of the fuse if such release is de ired. 'This is readily accomplished by providing an insulating rod 34 which preferably terminates in an. insulating handle 35 projecting slightly below the bottom of -dotted line position shown in Figure 1.

the fuse box. The rod 34 is attached in any operative manner to the rod 21, as by means of the yoke 36 shown in Figure 2, so that when the plunger or member 35 is pressed upwardly, the latch is released and the fuse drops outwardly.

In order to connect a succeeding fuse, a switch arm 31 is providedwhich is normally out of engagement with astationary contact 38, see Figure 6, a conductor 39 leading from the contact 38 to the lower terminal of the next succeeding fuse, as indicated in Figure 3. The switch arm 31 and stationary contact 38 are carried in an outwardly projecting housing I preferably integral with the housing I and closed by a removable door or plate 40, see Figure 4. This plate is held in place by any suitable means,as by a thumb screw 4I. It is preferable to provide a slotted flange 42 which receives the conductor 39 in vitsslot and which fits beneath a lip 43 formed integrally on the housing I.

An inverted U-shaped yoke M, see Figures 1, 4

and 5, is rigidly attached to pivoted trunnions 45 and 46, as shown most clearly in Figure 4. This yoke is spring pressed outwardly by means of the springs 41, see Figures 4 and 5. The trunnion or shaft 46 is rigidly attached to the switch arm 31, see Figure 4, so that when the trunnion rocks forwardly, the switch arm 31 engages the stationary contact 38 and thus connects the lower terminal of the .succeeding fuse to the conductor 39.

The yoke M engages the stop arms or feet I9 of the lower terminal 5 and thus electrically connects the line 48, see Figure 3, to the lower terminal of the succeeding fuse. Obviously the yoke could be connected to the lower .terminal member by a flexible leader, not shown, or by any other means desired. Normally, however, the yoke d4 is held in its rearmost position by the fuse tube I5 which is located in front of the yoke,'as is obvious from Figures 1 and 4.

It is apparent that when a temporary short-circuit occurs on the line, that the .first fuse will blow. Frequently, however, these short-circuits clear themselves almost instantly, as previously pointed out, and a certain'interval of time occurs before the next fuse is thrown in due to the fact that a certain interval of time is .required for the device to drop from itsfull line position to the VIf the fault has' cleared itself,` the succeeding fuse will not blow, but if it has not cleared itself, the succeeding fuse will blow. f1

A'few of the fuses have been shown in Figure 3 in the relation that they occupy in practice,

but it is obvious that as many may be used as desired. f

If for any reason it is desired to have the fuse drop out of position, this may be accomplished manually by pressing upwardly on the plunger 35, see Figure 1, thus releasing the latch and allowing the fuse and door to drop outwardly. AOn the other hand, if it is desired to inspect the interior of the fuse boxes or housings,the door alone may be opened outwardly after turning thelip 9 upwardly to a vertical position.

Further, suppose one or more of the fuses blow and the fault is cleared and a succeeding fuse remains in circuit. Obviously, the blown fuse or fuses may be readily detached fromthe hooklike and being assembled before said stationary retain the fuse in service position. As the fuse moves into service position, it automatically disconnects thenext succeeding fuse, as previously described, as the switch arm 31 moves out of engagement with the contact 38.

It will be seen that a simple type of drop-out housed repeating fuse has been provided in which the blown fuse may be refused and replaced and moved back into service without interrupting the service through the fuse then remaining in operation. Further, it will be seen that as many of these fuse units as desired can be used.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. A drop-out fuse comprising a fuse tube having spaced contacts thereon, supporting means having stationary contacts normally engaging said spaced conta-cts, a fuse link electrically joining said spaced contacts, latch means restraining said tube against movement away from said stationary contacts, and a hammer for imparting a releasing blow to said latch means, said hammer being biased towards latch releasing movement and restrained against motion by said -fuse link, whereby when said fuse link is ruptured, said hammer will release said latch means, said fuse tube, fuse link and hammer constituting a unit contacts are electrically connected.

2. In a fuseconstruction, a pair of stationary contacts, a fuse tube having spaced contacts nor- `mally engaging said stationary contacts, pivotal means for supporting said fuse tube adjacent its lower end, trigger mechanism carried by said fuse tube, a fuse link joining said spaced contacts and normallyv restraining said trigger mechanism against motion, latch means for holding said .fuse tube in position with the spaced contacts in engagement with said stationary contacts, said latch means being releasable `by said trigger i" mechanism when said fuse link is ruptured, said trigger mechanismv being biased towards latch releasing motion, and manually operable means for releasing said latch means independently of said trigger mechanism, said manual means including a manipulating member projecting outwardly and spaced from said fuse tube.

3. A housed type of drop-out fuse comprising a casing, a door for said casing, a pair of stationary contacts carried by said casing, a fuse tube mounted within said casing and having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link normally electricaly connecting said spaced contacts, and operative means normally holding said door closed, said operative means being biased towards releasing motion and being normally restrained againstjs'uch motion by said fuse link, whereby whensaid fuse link is ruptured, said door will move outwardly away from said fuse tube.

4. A housed type of drop-out fuse comprising a casing, a door pivotally mounted adjacent its lower portion and normally closing said casing, said casing having a pair of stationary contacts, a fuse tube mounted within said casing and having spaced contacts normally engaging said 'stationary contacts,`a fuse link electrically connecting said spaced contacts, and means releasably operatively connecting said door and said fuse tube and controlled by said fuse link, whereby when said fuse link is ruptured, said door will swing outwardly away from said fuse tube.

5. A housed type of drop-out fuse comprising a casing having stationary contacts, a door for said casing movable outwardly from said casing, a iuse tube mounted within said casing and having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, interlocking means between said fuse tube and said door, latch means normally holding said fuse tube in operative position and maintaining the interlocking of saidv door and said fuse tube, and mechanism for releasing said latch means and controlled by said fuse link, whereby when said fuse link has ruptured, said latch means is released and the interlocking relation between said door and fuse is terminated.

6. A housed type of drop-out fuse comprising a casing, a door hingedly supported from said casing and adapted to rock outwardly and downwardly from said casing, said casing having stationary contacts, a fuse tube movably mounted within said casing and having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link electrically joining said spaced contacts, means normally holding said' door to said fuse tube and releasable upon motion of said fuse tube, latch mechanism normally holding said fuse tube in operative position, and means controlled bysaid fuse link for releasing said latch mechanism when said fuse link is ruptured.

7. A housed type of drop-out fuse comprising a casing having stationary contacts, a door movably supported by said casing, a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link electrically joining said spaced contacts, means biased towards releasing motion and normally restrained by said fuse link for releasably holding said fuse tube in operative position, and externally operable movable means carried by said door for releasably locking said v door to said fuse tube.

8. A housed type of fuse comprising a casing having stationary contacts, a door hingedly sup, ported from said casing, a fuse tube mounted within said casing and having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a

' fuse link electrically joining said spaced contacts,

1 electrically joining said spaced contacts, trigger mechanism biased towards releasing motion and normally restrained by said fuse link, latch means normally holding said fuse tube in operative position and releasable by said trigger mechanism when said fuse link is ruptured, a door for said casing, detachable interlocking means between said door and said fuse tube, and a manually manipulable member projecting from said casing for tripping said latch means independently of said trigger mechanism.

10. A housed type of drop-out fuse comprising a 'cas-ing having stationary contacts, a fuse tube pivotally supported adjacent its lower end within said casing and having spaced contacts normeans normally holding said fuse tube in operative position and releasable by said trigger mechanism when said fuse link is ruptured, a door for said casing, detachable interlocking means betweensaid door and said fuse tube externally operable, and a manually manipulable'plunger projecting from said casing for 'tripping said latch means independently of said trigger mechanism.

11. A housed type of fuse comprising a casing having stationary contacts, a fuse tube normally held in operative position and having .spaced .contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link electrically joining said spaced contacts, a door for said casing, a catch carried by said fuse tube and located on the side thereof towards said door, a movable latch carried by external means carried by said door for releasing said latch, whereby said door may be moved outvtra wardly either independently of said fuse tube or said fuse tube and said door may be moved outwardly together. Y

.12. A repeating fuse construction comprising a rst fuse unit and a second fuseunit, a. fuse llink in each unit, an,I electric line normally connected through said rst fuse unit, each fuse unit.

including afuse tube for the fuse link mounted vto drop outwardly when said fuse link is ruptured, and a switch biased towards closed position and normally held in open position by the tube of the yiirst fuse unit, said switch upon closing connecting the second fuse unit in the electric line.

13. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fus-e unit and a second fuse unit, a fuse linkin each unit, an electric line normally conl nected through said first fuse unit, each fuse unit including a fuse tube for the fuse link mounted to drop outwardly when' said fuse link is ruptured, and 1a switch biased towards closed position and normally held in open position by the tube of the first fuse unit, said switch upon closing connecting the second fuse unit in the electric line, said switchfforming a unitary structure with said iirst fuse unit. c.

14. A repeating fuse construction comprising aA first fuse unit and a second fuse unit, a fuse link .in each fuse unit, an electric line normally connected through said first fuse unit, said first fuse unit including a casing having stationary contacts, a fuse tube for the fuse link mounted to drop outwardly when .said fuse link is rupy tured, a normally open switch carried by said rst fuse unit for connecting said" second fuse unit e in the electric line and closable when the fuse tube of the rst fuse unit drops outwardly, and a housing for said switch formed as a unitary structure with the casing of said rst fuse unit,

. the casing of said first yfuse unit being provided witha main door to give access to the fuse tube and automatically actuated upon the outward motion of its fuse assembly for connecting the next succeeding fuse unit in circuit, and' manually operable means for releasing the latch means for eachfuse assembly.

16. A repeating fuse construction comprising a series of fuse unitsl each fuse unit comprising a unitary structure including a casing having stationary contacts and a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts and movable away from said stationary contacts, ag fuse link in each fuse tube normally electrically joining said spaced contacts and frestraining the corresponding fuse tube against motion away from the stationary contacts, a door for each casing movable outwardly from the casing when the fuse tube moves away from the stationary contacts, an electric line normally connected through the first o'f said series of fuse units, said rst fuse unit at least, having a, normally open-switch for connecting a succeeding fuse unit in the electric line and closable when the tube of the first fuse unit moves away `from the stationary contacts of the rst fuse unit,

4 said switch being-opened when the fuse tube of prising a casing having stationary contacts and a door and fuse assembly including a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging thel stationary contacts and having' a fuse link normally electrically joining the spaced contacts of the fuse tube, said door and fuse assembly being movable away from said stationary contacts, means controlled by the fuse link vfor restraining the door and fuse assembly against motion, an electric line normally connected through the rst of said series of fuse units, at least said rst fuse unit having a normally open switch closable when the fuse and door assembly of said first fuse unit moves away from said stationary contacts to connect a succeeding fuse unit in said electric line, said switch being opened when the door and fuse assembly of said first fuse unit is moved back to its original position.

l. A repeatingy fuse construction comprising.

a rst fuse nit and a second fuse unit, a fuse ,link in each fuse unit, an electric line normally connected throughsaid rst fuseunit, said rst fuse unit including a fuse tube for the fuse link, said fuse tube being mounted to drop outwardly when said fuse link-is ruptured, a normally open switch movable to closed position when said rst fuse unit blows, said switch upon closing connecting said second fuse unit in the, electric line, and switch opening means operatively connected with said switch and arranged in the path of return movement ofsaid rst fuse unit when said rst fuse unit is rocked back to operative 'posi- `tion, said means directly opening said switch upon the backward rocking motion of said first fuse unit.

19. A repeating fuse construction comprising a rst fuse unit Vand a second fuse unit, a fuse link in eachA fuseunit, an electric line normally` tric line, and switch opening means operatively connected to said switch and arranged in the path of return movement of said first fuse unit for opening said switch by the direct rearward closing motion of said first fuse unit.

20. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unit and a second fuse unit, a fuse link for each fuse unit, an electric' line normally connected through said first fuse unit, said first fuse unit including a fuse tube for the fuse link, said fuse tube being pivoted for -outward motion upon blowing of said first fuse unit, means normally restraining said rst fuse unit against outward motion, a switch biased towards closed position and normally held in open position by said first fuse unit, said switch upon closing connecting the second fuse unit in the electric line," and switch opening means operatively connected to -ers said switch and normally arranged rearwardly of said rst fuse unit, said switch opening means Y being engaged by the tube of. said rst fuse unit when said iirst fuse unit is rocked back into operative position, said switch operating means opening said switch upon the reclosing of said first fuse unit. l l

21.v A repeating electrical device comprising a first cut-out and a second cut-out, an electric line normally connected through said first cutout, said rst cut-out having stationary contacts and a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link electrically connecting said spaced contacts, said fuse tube being mounted for motion away from at least one of said stationary contacts and beingI restrairied'against outward motion by means controlled bysaid fuse link, a switch closable upon outward motion of said fuse tube to connect the second cut-out in the electric line, and switch opening means operatively connected to said switch and arranged in the path of return movement of said fuse tube for opening said switch by the force exerted upon said means by the rearward motion of said fuse tube.

22. A repeating electrical device comprising a first cut-out yand a second cut-out, an electric -line normally'connected through said first cutout, said rst cut-out having stationary contacts and a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link electrically connecting said spaced contacts, casing means enclosing at least said first cut-out,

, saidv fuse tubebeing mounted for motion away movement of said fuse tube for opening said switch by the force exerted upon said means by the rearward motion of said fuse tube.

23. A repeating electrical device comprisinga `rst cut-out and a second cut-out, .an electric line normally connectedv through said first cutout, said first cut-out having stationary contacts and a fuse tube having spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link electrically connecting saidspaced contacts, casing means enclosing at least said first cut-out and having a door, means controlled by said fuse link for releasing said doorand said fuse tube upon rupture of. said fuse link, said fuse tube and said door being movably mounted with reference to said casing means, switch means controlled by the position of said fuse tube for connecting the electric line through said second cut-out when said first cut-out has blown, and switch opening means operatively connected to said switch and arranged inthe path of return movement of said fuse tube and adapted to be moved to open said switch by the direct rearward motion of, said fuse tube.

24. In a repeating fuse construction, a rst fuse unit including a pivotally mounted fuse tube and a fusible element therein, said tube being rele'asably held in circuit closing position until said element is fused, a second fuse unit, a circuit closing switch biased towards circuit closing position for closing a circuit through the second fuse unit, latching means operable independently of said fusible elementI and holding said switch in open circuit position, and latch releasing means carried by said tube and operatively engageable with said latching means when said element has fused, thereby to release said switch for circuit closing movement. l

25. In a circuit interrupting and closing device, a first interrupting unit including a pivotally `mounted arcing tube, circuit rupturing means within said tube, releasable means holding said tube in circuit closing position and operative on overload to release said tube; a second interrupting unit, a circuit closing switch biased towards circuit closing position for closing a circuit through the second interrupting unit, a second releasable means holding said switch in open circuit position, and means carried by said tube for operatively engaging said second releasable means to release said switch after the circuit has been interrupted within said tube.

26. In a repeating electrical device of the class described, a housing, a .door for said housing, said housing having an open bottom, stationary contacts mounted within said housing, an arcing tube mounted within said housing, current responsive means including an expulsible conductor Within said tube for interrupting the circuit within said tube, said tube having a closed upper end and an open bottom end, the open bottom end of said tube being located adjacent the opening in said housing, means normally holding said tube in circuit l closed position and releasable upon the occurrence of an overload, said tube being movable when released from operative to inoperative position, and a circuit closing switch controlled by said tube when said tube moves from operative to inoperative position.

27. In a repeating electrical device of the class described, housing means having a plurality of separate compartments each provided with an opening adjacent the lower portion thereof, an electrical cut-out in each of said compartments, at least one of said electrical cut-outs including an arcing tube and current responsive means,

-ing cut-out.

28. In a fuse construction, a pair of stationary contacts, a fuse tube having spaced contacts thereon normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link within said fuse tube electrically joining said spaced contacts, pivotal meansl for supporting said fuse tube adjacent its i `r29. In a fuse construction, a pair of stationary contacts, a fuse tube having spaced contacts thereon normally engaging said stationary contacts, v(a: fuse link within said fuse tube electrically connecting the said spaced contacts, pivotalvmeans for supporting said fuse tube adjacent its lower end, latch means for holding said fuso tube inposition with the spaced contacts in engagement with said stationary contacts, releasing means carried by said fuse tubeand, biased -towards latch releasing motion and restrained against releasing motion by said fuse link, said latch means holding said tube in position independently of said fuse link, said latch means being releasedV by said releasing means whensaid fuse link Ais ruptured, and manually operable means for releasing said latch means .independently of said releasing means, said fuse tube, fuse link and releasing means constituting a unit and being assembled before said stationary contacts are electrically connected.

30', A fuse construction comprising a supporting member, a fuse tubefmovably supported by said supporting member, said supportingmember having a pair of stationary contacts,l said fuse tube having a pair of spaced contacts normally engaging said stationary contacts, a fuse link within said fuse tube electrically joining said spaced contacts, latch means independent of said fuse link for restraining said fuse tube against motion with reference to said supporting means, and releasing means for releasing said latch means, said releasing means being biased towards latch releasing motion and being restrained' against motion by said fuse link, whereby when said fuse link is ruptured said releasing means will release said latch means.

' 31. The combination of a fuse unit havinga fuse tube mounted for movemenlI from circuit closing position ,to open circuit position, latch-A means normally holding said tube in circuit closingposition, said fuse unit having a fusible element, means controlled by said fusible element fusible element is ruptured, and a switch provided with a switch operating arm extending into the path of movement of said tube, said tube normally holding lsaid switch in open circuitv position. ,l

32. A fuse construction comprising'/ a support having yterminal members, a fuse tube normally occupying an operative position and movable from operative position to inoperative position, said fuse tube having a fuse link normally electrically connecting said terminal members, latch means for holding said fuse tube against' motion from operative to inoperative position, means controlled by said fuse link for rendering said latching means ineffective, )whereby said fuse tube will move to inoperative position when said fuse link is ruptured, and a switch permanently` biased towards switch closed position and re- "for releasing said tube from said latch when said leased upon movement of said fuse tube from operative to inoperative position.

33. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unit and a second fuse unit, a fuse including a tube movable between open circuit and closed circuit position and released for movement from closed circuit position by said fuse link, an electric line normally connected through said first fuse unit, a normally open transfer switch movable to closed position when said iirst -fuse unit blows and being held in open circuit position by said first fuse unit, said switch upon closing connecting said second fuse unit in the electric line, and switch opening means operatively connected to said switch and arranged in the path of return movement of said first fuse unit when said first fusei'unit is moved back to operative position, said means being engaged by said first fuse unit andthe force imparted to said means by said first ipse unit being directly transmitted to said switch to open said switch.

34. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse unit and a second fuse unit, a fuse link in said first fuse unit, said first fuse unit including a tube laterally movable into closed circuit position and outwardly movable into open circuit position and released for movement from closed circuit position by said fuse link, an electric line normally connected through said first fuse unit, a normally open transfer switch biased to closed position and movable to closed position when said first fuse unit blows and being held in open position by said first fuse unit, said switch upon closing connecting said second fuse `unit in the electric line, and switch opening means operatively connected to said switch and arranged in the/ path of return movement of said first fuse unit when said rst fuse unit is moved back tovoperative position, said means being engagedby said rst fuse unit and the force imparted to said means by said first fuse unit being directly transmitted to said switch to open said switch.

35i. In a repeating fuse unit, the combination of a plurality of fuse units, atleast the first fuse unit 'comprising a casing having spaced stationary y link in said first fuse unit, said first fuse unit o contacts, a fuse assembly including a door for said casing and a .fuse tube, said fuse tube having an upper and a lower contact and a fuse link within said tube normally forming a connecting member between said upper and lower contacts, means operative automatically upon the i blowing of the fuse link of the iirst fuse unit to displace that vfuse unit into an inoperative position, an electric line normallyconnected through y the first of said fuse units, andan automatic switch releasable by the'motion of said first fuse unit for connecting. the electric line through a successive fuse unit.

36. The inventionas claimed in claim 35,

wherein said switch includes means biasing the` same towards closed position, and means released Vby the displacement of the first fuse unit to ren ,retaining said fuse tube assembly in operative position so long as the fuse link thereof remains intact, and a normally open switch biased towards closed position carried by said rst vcutout for establishing connection through said second cutout upon blowing of said rst cutout.

38. A repeating fuse construction comprising a first fuse tube assembly and a second :fuse tube assembly; casing means for s`aid fuse tube assemblies, said rst fuse tube assembly including s upporting means and a fuse tube carried by said supporting means and movable with respect to said supporting means, said iirst fuse tube assembly having spaced contactsand having stationary contacts normally engaged by said spaced contacts, said first fuse tube assembly being movable outwardly from operative to inoperative position, a fuse link carried by said rst fuse tube assembly electrically connecting said spaced contacts, means normally restraining said first fuse tube assembly from moving from operative to inoperative positon, and a door for said rst fuse tube assembly, said door being movable outwardly by the outward motion of said rst fuse tube assembly when said first fuse tube assembly has blown. Y

JOHN B. HENDRICKS. 

